McCain's Convention Chair Worked for Burma's Military Junta

[Ichingcarpenter]

Questions of Perception: Some McCain allies worry about his convention manager choice
By Michael Isikoff | NEWSWEEK



After John McCain nailed down the Republican nomination in March, his campaign began wrestling with a sensitive personnel issue: who would manage this summer's GOP convention in St. Paul, Minn.? The campaign recently tapped Doug Goodyear for the job, a veteran operative and Arizonan who was chosen for his "management experience and expertise," according to McCain press secretary Jill Hazelbaker. But some allies worry that Goodyear's selection could fuel perceptions that McCain—who has portrayed himself as a crusader against special interests—is surrounded by lobbyists. Goodyear is CEO of DCI Group, a consulting firm that earned $3 million last year lobbying for ExxonMobil, General Motors and other clients.

Potentially more problematic: the firm was paid $348,000 in 2002 to represent Burma's military junta, which had been strongly condemned by the State Department for its human-rights record and remains in power today. Justice Department lobbying records show DCI pushed to "begin a dialogue of political reconciliation" with the regime. It also led a PR campaign to burnish the junta's image, drafting releases praising Burma's efforts to curb the drug trade and denouncing "falsehoods" by the Bush administration that the regime engaged in rape and other abuses. "It was our only foreign representation, it was for a short tenure, and it was six years ago," Goodyear told NEWSWEEK, adding the junta's record in the current cyclone crisis is "reprehensible."

Another issue: DCI has been a pioneer in running "independent" expenditure campaigns by so–called 527 groups, precisely the kind of operations that McCain, in his battle for campaign-finance reform, has denounced. In 2004, the DCI Group led a pro-Bush 527 called Progress for America, which was later fined (along with several other 527s on both sides of the political divide) for violating federal election laws. Goodyear, however, says that DCI is "not in the 527 business anymore."
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http://www.newsweek.com/id/136321

[Joanne98]

1. LOL

[Ichingcarpenter]

2. He just quit the campaign breaking now

ST. PAUL, Minn. - The man picked by the John McCain campaign to run the 2008 Republican National Convention resigned Saturday after a report that his lobbying firm used to represent the military regime in Myanmar.

Doug Goodyear resigned as convention coordinator and issued a two sentence statement:

"Today I offered the convention my resignation so as not to become a distraction in this campaign. I continue to strongly support John McCain for president, and wish him the best of luck in this campaign."

http://www.startribune.com/politics/national/president/18831259.html

[lonestarnot]

3. "So as not to become a distraction." Just what the fuck is that?

OMG these people make me SICK! I thought my rage had peaked like oil. WRONG FUCKING WRONG!

[lonestarnot]

4. Myanmar report on CNN at this moment. So disgusting!

State run TV smiling singers. Must be GOPers to. What is it about singing and flood death?

[Quantess]

5. time for a kick.

[Disturbed]

6. McLame is not McSame. He is worse than Busholini.

The more one learns about McLame the more repugnant the man really is.